Be extra careful driving thru thick dust/ash along Diokno hwy, between Lemery to Agoncillo Batangas. Vehicles, headlights on, have to slow down or stop on roadsides as it is really hard to see through @InquirerSLB pic.twitter.com/qyRSNPKyFG
— Maricar Cinco (@maricarcincoINQ) January 13, 2020
AGONCILLO, Batangas –– A truck driver died while three others were injured in a road crash in Calamba City in Laguna province at the height of the ashfall triggered by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
The lone fatality was identified as Gilbert Briones, a resident of Sto. Tomas, Batangas. His companion and truck helpers, Jovin Daen, 22; Charity Flores, 33; Reymar Daen, 34; were hurt.
Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson of the Calabarzon police, said the accident happened around 1 a.m. Monday as the truck was traversing the national highway in Barangay Paciano, Rizal.
The truck was reportedly bound to the next city of Cabuyao when its windshield was covered with thick volcanic ash that blocked the driver’s view of the road.
The police said it was “zero visibility” when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle causing the truck to overturn and crash into a roadside electric post.
Briones was the first fatality in an incident triggered by the volcanic eruption.
